On September 22, Mark Paulos made a presentation to Business Managers, Lobbyists and Organizers who are affiliated with the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council. Mark is Executive Director of the Indiana, Illinois, Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting (IIIFFC). Harry Melander, President of MN BCTC, invited Mr. Paulos to summarize what the IIIFFC was doing to help expand the unionized sector of the construction industry in parts of Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. He went on to describe how he administers a $2.5 million budget and twenty-one full time staff. Read more »

300 Economists Warn That Deficit Hysteria Is a Big Con That Threatens to Drive America into a Full-Blown Depression, By Joshua Holland, AlterNet

On Thursday, 300 economists and analysts issued a statement warning that the “deficit hawks” who appear to be gaining the upper hand in our economic debates are threatening to turn an already deeply painful recession into a full-blown depression. Read more »

Tools are used every day in every industry. They make small tasks easier and large tasks possible, but they’re often taken for granted. Whether they’re simple hand tools, or more complex power tools, all tools can pose a hazard in the workplace.

Most of the time, hand and power tools can be used with no problems — but serious injuries can occur when tools are not properly maintained or they are not used correctly. J. J. Keller has some ideas about for taking steps to identify and correct potential tool-related hazards in your workplace. Read more »

You work hard to keep this country running. You make a difference in your community. And you're passionate about the outdoors and passing on our hunting and fishing heritage to the next generation. That makes you a star in our book, so the Union Sportsmen's Alliance wants you on Brotherhood Outdoors. Read more »